Thousands of Central American kids prepare to cross the border every year for the chance at a better life.

"Being a mom, I can't imagine the difficulties they're going through," said Angelica Iglesias. "Either the child will die in front of (parents) because of the cartel or gang, or because of the mother refusing to accept further demands."

Bringing one of those kids into her home is Angelica's duty after a call from St. Petersburg Bishop Robert Lynch to welcome these kids with open arms.

"What do you do with the children? You can't keep 'em on Army posts," says diocese spokesperson Frank Murphy. "It'd be better if they were with families."

A St. Pete bishop calls on Americans to house children of immigrants.

Murphy says the diocese wants kids 12 and under from Central America to be granted humanitarian visas and to be legally treated as refugees. The goal is to get kids into a loving home in the community.

That doesn't sit well with Lisa Jones.

"I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't take in a child or an adult," Jones said. "There are plenty of children to worry about in the states already. I think that we should work on helping our own American people."

But for Iglesias, taking one of these kids in. "It's the right thing to do as a Catholic."